Winter Color Guard
The Ridgewood High School Winterguard is an integral part of the RHS Band Program. While this group practices and performs independently from the band, the skills learned are easily transferred to the field for the fall marching band season.
The Winterguard is a competitive team activity that performs a 4 - 5 minute routine that is choreographed and performed to recorded music. The Winterguard emphasizes dance and compliments choreography with flags, sabres, rifles, and other props. Competitions take place throughout the tri-state area, including the WGI (Winter Guard International) Regional Championships. The Winterguard season begins with two long rehearsal weekends in December before settling into a practice schedule of once or twice during the school week, depending upon gym availability. Weeknight practices are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the start of the season, and often taper off to once a week by mid February. The guard also rehearses on Saturdays beginning in January. The competition season ends in mid March.
An information and organizational meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30PM in Room 150 (Band Room). At that time, audition and membership expectations will be discussed, and audition scoring rubrics and season calendars will be distributed. Students are encouraged to bring a parent to this meeting.
The 2008 - 2009 Winterguard will hold auditions for membership on Friday, November 20 (4:00 - 6:30 PM) & Saturday, November 21 (11:00 AM - 4:00 PM) in the Campus Center.
Although no experience is necessary to audition for the Winterguard, many find some dance experience to be helpful. Students must be able to demonstrate good coordination, body control and rhythm, and an ability to learn flag techniques and dance routines. A good work ethic is absolutely essential, and students must be able to commit to the schedule of rehearsals and competitions which will be posted on this website. Due to the regulations of our competition circuits (Mid Atlantic Indoor Network and Winter Guard International), there are a limited number of spaces available.
Winterguard Instructors are Meredith Gnerre and Elizabeth Lavery.
